Herons, Egrets, Storks

The Herons are wading birds and there are 64 recognised species in this family. Some are called Egrets OR Bitterns instead of Herons. However, egrets are not a biologically distinct group from the herons, and tend to be named differently because they are mainly white OR have decorative plumes. Although egrets have the same build as the larger herons, but they tend to be smaller. An Egret is any of several herons, most of which are white or buff, and several of which develop fine plumes [usually milky white] during the breeding season. The Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills. They occur in many regions of the world and tend to live in drier habitats than the related herons, spoonbills, and ibises; they also lack the powder down that those groups use to clean off fish slime. Storks have no syrinx and are mute, giving no bird call; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Many species are migratory. Most storks eat frogs, fish, insects, earthworms, and small birds or mammals. There are 19 living species of storks.